Elaine Ann Parsons

It is with heartache and sadness that we, the family of Elaine Ann (Hurley) Parsons, announce her passing on May 2, 2023, after a short but courageous battle with brain cancer. Mom passed peacefully surrounded by her loving family at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. Born in New Waterford, Nova Scotia, she was the daughter of the late Tom and Mary (Owens) Hurley.

Mom started her career at Canada Post in Ontario prior to moving back to her hometown to continue her career and to be with her family. She was a hard worker, an active member of the labour movement and was proud to serve as the Sydney Local Union President. In her earlier years, Mom enjoyed playing baseball and bowling, but spent her retirement investing her time as a community volunteer. She was well known for her selflessness and was an active committee member of the Catholic Women’s League, the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank, the New Waterford Kinettes, the Army, Navy and Airforce Unit 217 and Combined Christmas Giving, and the N.S. Restorative Justice program working with young offenders, which she took great pride in being part of.

Mom was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, niece and friend. Although Mom loved spending her time volunteering, what she loved most was time spent with her family and friends. She was most happy after moving in with her granddaughter, Amanda, and especially having the opportunity to watch her great-grandchildren grow. She always looked forward to the annual 'Woodstock' parties, going to the country, dart and poker nights, listening to music, watching a good horror movie and cooking and baking.

She will be missed most by her daughters Susie (Bobby) Burchell and Dawn (Lloyd), her granddaughters Amanda, Robynn, Olivia and Arianna, and her great-grandchildren Jaedyn, Brielle, Parker and Isaac. She was so proud of all of her girls and was so grateful to finally get her boy.

Mom was the only girl of seven. She is survived by her five brothers who adored her: Jerry (Helen), Charlie (Anne), Wayne (Claire), John “Bo” (Mary), and Gordie (Marg). She is also survived by her uncle Wilfred “Duck” Hurley and her special sister-in-law Kathy, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Besides her parents, Mom was predeceased by her loving partner Charles “Grant” Cogswell, oldest brother Jimmy, her sister-in-law Chris, her two siblings in infancy and her dear friend Alice AuCoin.

On behalf of the family, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to the nurses and doctors in the Palliative Care Unit at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital and the 2nd Floor at the New Waterford Hospital for their care and support of our Mom. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Combined Christmas Giving (New Waterford) or a charity of your choice.

Cremation has taken place under the care and direction of McLellan Funeral Home, 3183 Plummer Ave, New Waterford. A funeral mass to celebrate Mom’s life will take place on Monday May 8th, 2023, at 10 a.m. in the Parish Church of St. Leonard, Mount Carmel Ave. with Father Godwin Obike officiating.  Interment service will follow in Mount Carmel Cemetery, New Waterford . All are welcome to join us following the service for a reception at the Army, Navy and Airforce, Unit 217, Smith Street. To express words of comfort to the family please visit the Tribute Wall. 

I Am Free

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free,

I’m following the path God laid for me.

I took his hand when I heard his call,

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,

To laugh, to love, to work, to play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way,

I’ve found that peace at the close of the day.

If my parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,

Ah yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow,

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My Life’s been full, I savoured much,

Good friends, good times,

a loved one’s touch,

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,

Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your heart and share with me,

God wanted me now, He set me free